MisReading America

Scriptures and Difference

Description

MisReading America presents original research on and conversation about reading formations in American communities of color, using the phenomenon of the reading of scriptures--''scripturalizing''--as an analytical wedge. Scriptures here are understood as shorthand for complex social phenomena, practices, and dynamics. The authors take up scripturalizing as a window onto the self-understandings, politics, practices, and orientations of marginalized communities. These communities have in common the context that is the United States, with the challenges it holds for all regarding: pressure to conform to conventional-canonical forms of communication, representation, and embodiment (mimicry); opportunities to speak back to and confront and overturn conventionality
(interruptions); and the need to experience ongoing meaningful and complex relationships (reorientation) to the centering politics, practices, and myths that define ''America.''

MisReading America

Scriptures and Difference

Author Information

Vincent L. Wimbush is Professor of Religion and Director of the Institute for Signifying Scriptures at Claremont Graduate University.

Contributors:

Efrain Agosto - Professor of New Testament Studies at the New York Theological SeminaryTat-siong Benny Liew - Professor of New Testament at the Pacific School of ReligionVelma E. Love - Project Director of the Study of Black Congregational Life at Howard University School of DivinityNadine Naber - Associate Professor in the Program in American Culture and the Department of Women's Studies and an Adjunct Associate pProfessor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of MichiganAndrea Smith - Associate Professor in the Department of Media and Cultural Studies at the University of California, RiversideMatthew Stiffler - Researcher at the Arab American National MuseumVincent L. Wimbush - Professor of Religion and Director
of the Institute for Signifying Scriptures at Claremont Graduate University